Latest Area News Headlines

DAWSON – According to authorities, drinking and exposure to winter’s elements killed Michael Anyasike, the star high school football player who ran when an underage party at a vacant western Minnesota farmhouse was being busted.

Anyasike, 18, a senior standout on the Dawson-Boyd High School football team, died from “hypothermia due to environmental exposure,” said a statement from the La Qui Parle Sheriff’s Office that cited the medical examiner’s findings. “Alcohol consumption was listed as a contributing factor to the death,” the statement continued.

ST. PAUL - The Minnesota State Senate opted to give an additional day of consideration to the Senate Tax Bill (HF 1777) on Thursday, and will take up the bill today.. The bill includes federal income tax conformity, rescission of the gift tax, and estate tax reform. Senator Bill Weber was pleased to see language approving a new senate office building was not included.

The last thing Minnesota taxpayers need is to spend $90 million on a lavish new building for politicians, he said.

Last year there were problems caused by last minute changes to the tax bill unknown even...

JACKSON - The Jackson City Council met in regular session this week and Councilman Chris Vee was administered an Oath of Office for the seat he was appointed to March 4th.

A public hearing was conducted regarding AGCO’s application for Minnesota Investment Funds through the Department of Employment and Economic Development. Jackson Economic Development Coordinator Sue Persig explained AGCO was seeking $375,000 in forgivable funds from DEED using Minnesota Investment Funds for their Fast Forward program.

WORTHINGTON – The Board of Trustees of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Wednesday appointed Dr. Barbara McDonald as interim president of Minnesota West Community & Technical College. Her appointment becomes effective July 1, 2014.

Dr. McDonald has served at Itasca Community College in Grand Rapids since 2000. She presently serves as provost, a role she has held since 2013. Previously, she served as dean of academic affairs and student services from 2009 until 2013, as dean of academic affairs from 2000 until 2009 and as director of institutional effectiveness in 2000....

WORTHINGTON – ISD#518 on Tuesday approved the concept of the Nobles Housing Initiative, making Abraham Algadi and the Worthington Regional Economic Development Corp three for three. Algadi had previously gotten the same concept approval from Nobles County and the city of Worthington. Now, he said, he needs to go talk to the small towns and school districts in the county.

The Initiative will offer 100 percent tax abatement for five years on new home construction. It was proposed by Algadi and the WREDC as a way to work around the housing crunch that plagues some areas in southwest...

WORTHINGTON – The Interim President-Elect for the Minnesota West Community and Technical College will be announced at 1 p.m. Wednesday during a Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of trustee meeting. Chancellor Steven Rosenstone will make the recommendation during a meeting which will be live-streamed at www.mnscu.edu/board.

The public is invited to come meet the new Interim President-Elect at 12:30 p.m. Monday, March 24 in room 22 of Minnesota West – Worthington Campus.

SHAKOPEE, Minn. (March 17) -- While corn farmers wait for the last of the snow to melt before spring planting, they went to St. Paul to meet with legislators during the Minnesota Corn Growers Association’s “Day on the Hill” Thursday, March 13 at the State Capitol.

“It’s important that corn farmers connect with as many legislators as possible, even if they might not agree with our stance on every issue,” said John Mages, who farms in Belgrade and chairs MCGA’s government relations committee. “Corn farmers need to make their voices heard. Agriculture is a major job creator and a key...

WORTHINGTON – Congratulations to two area students, William Dudley of Worthington High School and Dillon John of Adrian High School. They were each named the male recipient of Minnesota State High School League statewide Triple A award – Dudley in Region 2AA and John in Region 3A.

Both attended the 26th annual Academics, Arts & Athletics 2014 awards banquet Saturday in Minneapolis and were named state-level winners in Class AA and Class A, making them also the recipients of $4,000 college scholarships.

Female recipients were Taylor Kraemer of Osakis High School (Class A)...

SLAYTON— Medical staff has been leaving in droves, and now the CEO has resigned from the Murray County Medical Center.

From a news release issued by Davis Communications Management: “Murray County Medical Center's chief executive officer, Meldon Snow, formally left his position effective Friday, March 14. The hospital's seven member board accepted Snow's resignation and will be launching a search for his replacement.”

“We appreciate Mel’s years of service to our community. The Board will begin the search for a new CEO immediately,” said hospital board chair Bob Moline.

SIBLEY, Iowa – The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help after receiving two burglary complaints early Saturday.

The first complaint was reported at 5 a.m., and came from Pete’s Bar in Ashton, Iowa. A second burglary complaint was called in to the sheriff’s office around 6:30 p.m. It came from Jake’s Meat Market in Sibley, Iowa.

Both incidents, authorities believe, happened sometime Friday night or in the early morning hours Saturday.

Officials said the two burglaries appear to be related, but are still under investigation.